Published: Thursday, 17th July, 2008 08:45
Not signs of the times
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CALLS have been made for the removal of “useless, outdated and confusing” road signs in North Berwick.
The town’s community council has received a number of complaints from residents about the continued presence on lampposts of numerous direction signs which no longer have any value.
They include yellow AA signs for housing developments now completed, a defunct park and ride sign and a sign advertising the Clarence road repairs hotline that was discontinued last year.
Speaking at the latest meeting of North Berwick Community Council, local Conservative ward councillor, Neil Rankin, agreed it was time for the local authority to take action.
He said: “We need the council to take away the signs for housing developments which were finished years and years ago.
“There are many outdated signs still up that are causing confusion.”
Community councillor Ian Watson noted: “The council has been very diligent in taking down signs advertising charity events.”
And group treasurer Elma Danks added: “People are spending money on making signs to advertise their charity coffee mornings and the council is taking their signs away.
“I feel that is unacceptable. It is really bad.”
Council leader and local SNP ward member, Councillor David Berry (pictured), who was at the meeting, said: “These (development) signs were put up by the AA because they were paid by developers to do so, and with the council’s permission.
“Public advertising needs to be regulated. The council has been relatively relaxed in its approach to this in the last year or so, but now we are tightening things up.”
However, community councillors have welcomed the prospect of one particular addition to the plethora of local street signs – after the town was offered the use of a speed reactive warning sign to improve road safety.
The sign, which goes on rotation around county towns and villages, has a built-in sensor which flashes to warn approaching motorists if they are breaking the speed limit.
Chair Pat Burton said: “This sign is going to be available to us later this month. I ask if people could give me some idea where these signs could go.
“The area where it might be useful would be Dirleton Avenue and Station Hill – which is an area where we have been concerned about before.”
Community councillor Linda Hall said: “Could I suggest Dunbar Road?”
Mr Rankin said: “The start of the 30mph limit on Dirleton Avenue would be ideal. That sort of sets the tone for people coming into the town.”
It was agreed the community council write to the authorities requesting the speed sign be sited at that point.
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